Luka Doncic shares message welcoming new Lakers ownership ending Buss family’s 46-year reign

June 19, 2025

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Luka Doncic made his first public statement after Jeanie Buss and family sold their majority stake in the LA Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners. The news, announced on Wednesday, ended the Buss family’s 46-year reign as the franchise’s majority owner.

Doncic posted a statement on social media, striking a balance between welcoming Walter and expressing gratitude to Buss. He also reaffirmed his desire to win championships with the team.

Mark Walter has an impressive investment portfolio in the sports world. Among many, he is the majority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB and the LA Sparks in the WNBA.

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The Lakers have been associated with the Buss family for almost half a century now. Jeanie's father, Dr.Jerry Buss, bought the Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 and became arguably the most successful owner in the league's history. Jerry Buss created a culture with the Lakers, and the team won 11 championships with him as an owner.

Jeanie took over the Lakers' franchise from her father after his' demise in 2013, making her one of the most powerful female figures in women's sports. In her reign, the Lakers were able to sign some of the biggest stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic.

The Buss family sold the majority stakes for $10 billion, the highest price for a team in professional sports history. After the sale, Jenie Buss will continue to serve the Lakers as the governor of the team.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic are both excited about the new ownership

The change in ownership could usher in significant changes for the Lakers. There's hope that Mark Walter's leadership will accelerate the team's championship pursuit and that the front office may take a more aggressive approach this offseason.

According to ESPN's Lakers reporter, Dave McMenamin, both Lakers superstars, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, were excited for the team's prospects under the new ownership.

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James has a player option for $52 million for next season, which he is expected to opt in. On the other hand, Doncic will also be eligible to sign a four-year, $228.6 million contract in August.

About the author

Nandjee Ranjan is a journalist covering the NBA and WNBA at Sportskeeda whose passion for basketball dates back to his childhood when he enjoyed playing the sport in school.

Nandjee finds his heart divided between two NBA powerhouses: the LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. He idolizes LeBron James and his leadership, while he appreciates the Warriors' dynamic and team-oriented style of play.
Basketball, for Nandjee, isn't just a sport but a holistic approach to fitness and well-being. He's been drawn to team sports, finding fulfillment in the physical engagement basketball offers.

With years of following basketball, Nandjee contextualizes historical events and player performances. He believes in conducting thorough research before writing, only taking information from reliable sources. He doesn’t mind taking more time to write an articles, as long as it is 100% accurate for his readers’ benefit.

During his leisure hours, Nandjee finds relaxation by reading books.

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